Benefits of Yoga in Addiction and Recovery

Many people practice yoga to boost their strength, flexibility, and metabolism. However, unknown to many, it is also an effective addiction treatment. There are no one-size-fits-all cures for addiction, but yoga has become one of the most common recovery methods today.

The latest addiction statistics reveal that around 20 million Americans abused a substance in the past year. While there are many treatment types for such conditions, practicing yoga can enhance any of them. Read on to discover how this discipline can help transform a struggling addict’s life.

Cope With Withdrawal Symptoms

According to American Addiction Centers, common alcohol and drug withdrawal include various symptoms, from vomiting to insomnia to anxiety. Individuals in the initial phase of their recovery often experience a lot of pain and discomfort.

Integrating yoga with any addiction treatment can help address some of these concerns by making patients stronger. The stretching and breathing exercises can help them improve their appetite, alleviate pains, and sleep better.

Manage Stress

Fighting addiction is as much a mental and emotional battle as it is a physical one. Many people with addiction problems feel massive amounts of guilt, shame, worry, resentment, and loneliness.

Yoga’s flowing motions and breathing exercises help calm nerves and reduce cravings. A recent brain study proves that yoga increases the volume of the hippocampus — a region of the brain that plays a crucial role in controlling stress. The more people practice yoga, the more they can enjoy its tranquilizing benefits.

Strengthen Self-Control

Self-control is one of the core components in any addiction center program. Maintaining control of their lives is one essential factor that many recovery hopefuls overlook. There’s no shortcut to mastering this ability except for practice and persistence, which yoga can do.

Yoga is an excellent exercise that helps recovering addicts take back control of their lives and fight compulsive cravings. This discipline takes some getting used to, but the benefits are worth the wait.

Feel a Natural High

Initially, people become attracted to the substances because of the euphoric high they provide. Also, they can help users enhance social interactions, escape unpleasant circumstances, or fit in. However, in most cases, chasing highs leads to different results.

For this reason, it’s best to try a natural method of achieving elevated consciousness as one would with harmful substances. Post-yoga high is a legitimate experience where the blood vessels feel relaxed while boosting blood flow to the heart, making people feel like they’re on top of the world. It’s this natural high that keeps many practitioners wanting more.

Create a Clear Path Toward Recovery

Yoga is one of the most convenient practices recovering addicts can perform anytime, anywhere. Combining yoga with whatever addiction treatment you have can help you create a clear path toward recovery.

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